Excerpt:
Clacton MP Giles Watling has called on County Hall bosses to ban halal meat from schools.
Mr Watling wants Essex County Council to ban religiously-slaughtered meat due to concerns over animal welfare.
The law requires animals to be stunned before slaughter, which leaves them unable to feel pain during the process. But there is an exception for animals slaughtered for religious purposes.
Mr Watling said he believes slaughtering animals that are not pre-stunned is "barbaric" and causes the animals unnecessary pain.
He added: "I find the practise of not pre-stunning before slaughter abhorrent.